Educators Encourage Youngsters to Read for Fun

Representatives of the Guam Council of the International Reading Association (IRA) and the UOG School of Education Alumni Association (SOEAA) receive congratulations on their joint efforts to encourage Guam youngsters to read for fun from local author, Frances Baumann, and her husband, attorney Ladd Baumann. The couple contributed 300 children’s books to be used as prizes to public elementary school students who participate in the next islandwide

Read-a-thon. The books – Ramon on the Phone and Midge at the Fridge – are written by Frances Baumann and feature funny stories told in rhyme about a CHamoru “coach potato” and his “junk-food-junkie” friend who discover how to get fit and eat right. The storybooks, which

include audio narration and companion activities, games, and jump rope songs, are now available online at Amazon.com.

In addition to its annual Read-a-thon for children and in keeping with its goal to improve literacy and reading instruction in Guam and Micronesia, the IRA is hosting its 32^nd annual regional Language Arts Conference for teachers and parents this weekend on Nov. 15 and 16 at the Pacific Star Resort.

Pictured left to right are: Vivian Wolff, Chairperson of IRA Grants; Margaret Beem, Vice President of SOEAA; Ladd & Fran Baumann; and Trini Chargualaf, retired GDOE principal.